General Meeting dates for Season 2019 – 2020
Tuesday 20th August 2019 Monday 11th November 2019
Tuesday 18th February 2020 Tuesday 20th April 2020
AGM 16th June 2020
To be held at The Westleigh, 7.30pm

Girls and Mixed Football
Girls shall be permitted to play in mixed teams up to and including the Under 16 age group.
It should also be noted that this allows, that should a team be made up entirely
of girls that they shall be permitted to play in a mixed or single gender league.
This also applies to short sided tournaments.

Isle of Wight Travel
Due consideration must be given to teams travelling to and from the Isle of Wight for League and Cup matches, with regards to kick off times.
Early kick offs must be agreed between the clubs and it is recommended that matches should not kick off no early than 10.30am, unless by mutual consent.
Please note MSFL gives no financial assistance to travel costs.

Standard Code & League Rules

MID SOLENT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
YOUTH RULES 2018/19 SEASON
DEFINITIONS

1. (A) In these Rules:

“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an Affiliated Association under the rules of The FA.
“AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
“Club” means a club for the time being in membership of the Competition.
“Competition” means the Mid Solent Football League.
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.
“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.
“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.
“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules, as set out at Schedule A.
“Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out at Schedule A. “Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches. “Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.
“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.
“Mini Soccer” means those participating at ages under 7s to under 10s.
“Non Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.

“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.

“Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time. “Player” means any Contract Player, Non Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.

“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.

“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.

“Sanctioning” “Scholarship” “Authority” means a Scholarship The Hampshire asset out in County Rule C Football 3(a)(i) Association of the rules Limited. Of The FA.
“Season” means the period of time between an AGM and the subsequent AGM.

“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.

“SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.
“Team” means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules.

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

“WGS” means the Whole Game System and the procedures for the operation thereof as determined by The FA from time to time.

“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.

“Youth Football” means those participating at ages under 11s to under 18s.

(B) Unless stated otherwise, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to both genders. Any term in the singular applies to the plural and vice-versa.
GOVERNANCE RULES
COMPETITION NAME AND CONSTITUTION

1. (A) The Competition will be known as the “Mid Solent Football League “(or such other name as the Competition may adopt) . The Clubs participating in the Competition must be members of the Competition. A Club which ceases to exist, or which ceases to be entitled to play in the Competition for any reason whatsoever shall thereupon automatically cease to be a member of the Competition.

(B) This Competition shall consist of not more than 100 Clubs approved by the Sanctioning Authority.

(C) The geographical area covered by the Competition membership shall be the Portsmouth Divisional Football Association.

(D) The administration of the Competition under these Rules will be carried out by the Competition acting (save where otherwise specifically mentioned herein) through the
Management Committee in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of The FA.

(E) All Clubs shall adhere to the Rules. Every Club shall be deemed, as a member of

the Competition to have accepted the Rules and to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the Management Committee in relation thereto, subject to the provisions of Rule 7.

(F) The Rules are taken from the Standard Code of Rules for Youth Competitions (the “Standard Code”) determined by The FA from time to time. In the event of any omissions from the Standard Code then the requirements of the Standard Code shall be deemed to apply to the Competition.

(G) All Clubs must be affiliated to an Affiliated Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date in a manner prescribed by the Sanctioning Authority and must have a constitution approved by the Sanctioning Authority. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Sanctioning Authority and the constituent Teams of Clubs may be grouped in divisions.

(H) Inclusively and Non-discrimination

(i) The Competition and each Club must be committed to promoting inclusively and to eliminating all forms of discrimination and should abide and adhere to The FA Equality Policy and any legislative requirements (to include those contained in the Equality Act 2010).

(ii) This Competition and each Club must make every effort to promote equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and by providing access and opportunities for all members of the community, irrespective of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability or otherwise.

(iii) Any alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 legislation must be referred to the appropriate Sanctioning Authority for investigation.
(I) Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, Charter Standard and RESPECT programmes. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(J) All Participants shall abide by The Football Association Regulations for Safeguarding Children as determined by The FA from time to time.
(K) Clubs shall not enter any of their Teams playing at a particular age group in the Competition in any other competition (with the exception of FA and County FA Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(L) At the AGM or a SGM called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the constitution of the divisions at their discretion. When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 22.

CLUB NAME
3. Any Club wishing to change its name must obtain permission from the Sanctioning Authority and from the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

ENTRY FEE, SUBSCRIPTION, DEPOSIT

4. (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to the Competition or the entry of an additional Team(s) from the same Club must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by an entry fee per Team as set out in the Fees Tariff, which shall be returned in the event of non-election.

At the discretion of the voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the AGM or a SGM or on a date agreed by the Management Committee.

(B) The annual subscription shall be payable in accordance with the Fees Tariff per Club or Team (where a Club has more than one Team in membership of the Competition) and shall be payable on or before 31st May in each year.

(C) A Deposit of £ 40 shall be payable in accordance with the Fees Tariff and shall be payable on or before 31st May in each year. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the entry fee, annual subscription and Deposit (if required) have been paid.

(E) If requested by the Competition, Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 1st July of its Sanctioning Authority affiliation number for the forthcoming Playing Season. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its headquarters, its Officers and any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

5. (A) The Management Committee shall comprise the Officers of the Competition and no more than 10 members who shall all be elected at the AGM.
(Note: The officers shall be President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer (if required), Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Welfare Officer, Cup Secretary and Divisional Secretaries.

An elected individual may hold more than one position on the Committee but will only have

one vote.) (N.B. Auditors/Verifiers are not Officers).

(B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination provided that the Officer notifies the Secretary in writing not later than 31st May in each year.
All other candidates for election as Officers of the Competition or members of the
Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the
secretaries of two Clubs, not later than 31st March in each year. Names of the candidates for
election shall be circulated with the notice of the AGM. In the event of there being no
nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at
the AGM. The Management Committee shall meet as and when required, save that no more
(C)
than three calendar months shall pass between each meeting.
On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Management
Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Management Committee.

(B) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the
Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its
proceedings.
(C) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their Officers
and sent to the Secretary.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
POWERS OF MANAGEMENT
5. (A) The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and delegate such
of their powers as they deem necessary. The decisions of all sub-committees shall be reported
to the Management Committee for ratification. The Management Committee shall have power
to deal only with matters within the Competition and not for any matters of misconduct that
are under the jurisdiction of The FA or Affiliated Association.

(B) Subject to the permission of the Sanctioning Authority having been obtained the
Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each Season, the
proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each
Club (including any club which may have withdrawn during the Season) to contribute equally
such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the Season.
(C) Each member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote
at all Management Committee meetings and have one vote thereat, but no member shall be
allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such member or to the Club so
represented or where there may be a conflict of interest. (This shall also apply to the procedure
of any sub-committee).
In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman of the Management
Committee shall have a second or casting vote.
(D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce these
Rules and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition. Any action by
the Competition must be taken within 28 days of the Competition being notified.
With the exception of Rules 6(I), 8(H) and 9, for all alleged breaches of a Rule the
Management Committee shall issue a formal written charge to the Club concerned. The Club
charged shall be given 7 days from the date of notification of the charge to reply. In such reply
a Club may: -
(i) Accept the charge and submit in writing a case of mitigation for consideration by the
Management Committee on the papers; or
(ii) Accept the charge and notify that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing
before the Management Committee; or
(iii) Deny the charge and submit in writing supporting evidence for consideration by the
Management Committee on the papers; or
(iv) Deny the charge and notify that it wishes to put its case of mitigation at a hearing
Before the Management Committee.

Where the Club charged fails to respond within 7 days, the Management Committee shall determine the charge in such manner and upon such evidence as it considers appropriate.
Where required, hearings shall take place as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the reply of the Club as more fully set out above.
Having considered the reply of the Club (whether in writing or at a hearing), the Management Committee shall make its decision and, in the event that the charge is accepted or proven, decide on the appropriate penalty (with reference to the Fines Tariff where applicable).
The maximum fine permitted for any breach of a Rule is £ 100 and, when setting any fine, the Management Committee must ensure that the penalty is proportional to the offence, taking into account any mitigating circumstances.
No Participant under the age of 18 can be fined.
All breaches of the Laws of the Game or the Rules and Regulations of The FA shall be dealt with in accordance with FA Rules by the appropriate Association.
(B) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.
Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days.
(B) 20% of its members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Management Committee or any sub-committee thereof.
(C) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill, in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
(D) A Club must comply with an order or instruction of the Management Committee and must attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition to the satisfaction of the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(E) Subject to a Club’s right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7 below, all fines and charges must be paid within 14 days of the date of notification of the decision.
Any Club failing to do so will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Further failure to pay the fine including the additional fine within a further 14 days will result in fixtures being withdrawn until such time as the outstanding fines are paid.
(F) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or Competition Match may have any reasonable expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
(G) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the AGM or SGM called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Playing Season.
(H) The business of the Competition as determined by the Management Committee may be transacted by electronic mail or facsimile.

PROTESTS, CLAIMS, COMPLAINTS, APPEALS
Committee or a sub-committee duly appointed by the Management Committee.
(ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the referee before the commencement of the Competition Match.
i. Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged with the Secretary within 7 days (excluding Sundays) of the Competition Match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except
ii. No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum in accordance with as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined the Fees Tariff.
This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the inquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.
iii. All parties to a protest or complaint must receive a copy of the submission and must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at least 7 days prior to the protest or complaint being heard.
(i) All parties must have received 7 days’ notice of the hearing should they be instructed to attend.
(ii) Should a Club elect to state its case in person then it should forward a deposit of £ 20.00 and indicate such when forwarding the written response.
iv. The Management Committee shall also have power to compel any party to the protest to pay such expenses as the Management Committee shall direct.
v. Any appeal against a decision of the Management Committee must be lodged with the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of the posting of the written notification of the decision causing the appeal, accompanied by a fee (as set out in the Fees Tariff), which may be forfeited in the event of the appeal not being upheld. A copy of the appeal must also be sent to the Secretary. The procedure for the appeal shall be determined by the Sanctioning Authority, in such respect the Sanctioning Authority may (but is not obliged to):
(i) invite submissions by the parties involved; or
(ii) convene a hearing to hear the appeal; or
(iii) permit new evidence; or
(iv) impose deadlines as are appropriate.
Any appeal shall not involve a rehearing of the evidence considered by the Management Committee.
(F) No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an AGM or SGM unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
8. (A) The AGM shall be held not later than 14th June in each year. At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 15 members are present and entitled to vote:-
(i) To receive and confirm the minutes of the preceding AGM.
(ii) To receive and adopt the annual report, balance sheet and statement of accounts.
(iii) Election of Clubs to fill vacancies.
(iv) Constitution of the Competition for the ensuing Season.
(v) Election of Officers of the Competition and the Management Committee members.
(vi) Appointment of auditors.
(vii) Alteration of Rules, if any (see Rule 14).
(viii) Fix the date for the commencement of the Playing Season and kick off times applicable to the Competition.
(ix) Fix the date for the end of the Playing Season.
(x) Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an AGM.
(B) A copy of the duly verified balance sheet, statement of accounts and agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting together with any proposed Rule changes.
(C) A signed copy of the duly verified balance sheet and statement of accounts shall be sent to the Sanctioning Authority within 14 days of its adoption by the AGM.
(D) Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to an AGM. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. 14 days’ notice shall be given of any AGM.
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their membership of the Competition during the Playing Season being concluded or who are not continuing membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the Season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 12.

(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of voting cards unless a ballot be demanded by at least 50% of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Club.

(H) Any continuing Club must be represented at the AGM. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(I) Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an AGM.

(J) Where a Competition is an incorporated entity, the Officers of the Competition shall ensure that the Articles of Association of the Competition are consistent with the requirements of these Rules.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
9. Upon receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the Clubs in membership the Secretary shall call a SGM.
The Management Committee may call a SGM at any time.

At least seven (7) days’ notice shall be given of a meeting under this Rule, together with an agenda of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

Each Club shall be empowered to send two delegates to all SGMs. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only.

Any Club failing to be represented at a SGM shall be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Officers of the Competition and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at all SGMs.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
10. Each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the application for membership for the coming Season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.

“We, (A), (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Chairman) and (B) (name) [ ] of (address) [ ] (Secretary) of [ ] Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Mid Solent Football League Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 7.”
The agreement shall be signed by:
(i) Where a Club is an unincorporated association, the Club chairman and secretary; or
(ii) Where a Club is an incorporated entity, two directors of the Club.

Any alteration of the chairman and /or secretary of the Club on the above agreement must be notified to the Parent County Football Association(s) to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP, WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB
11. (A) Any Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a Team from the Competition must do so by 31st March each season. This does not apply to a Club moving in accordance with Rule 22(B). Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(B) The Management Committee shall have the discretion to deal with a Team being unable to start or complete its fixtures for a Playing Season, including but not limited to, issuing a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(C) Notwithstanding the powers of the Management Committee pursuant to Rule 6(I), in the event of a Club failing to discharge all its financial obligations to the Competition in excess of £50, the Management Committee shall be empowered to refer the debt under The FA Football Debt Recovery provisions.

EXCLUSION OF CLUBS OR TEAM. MISCONDUCT OF CLUBS, OFFICERS, PLAYERS, MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
12. (A) At the AGM or SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, notice of motion having been duly circulated on the agenda by direction of the Management Committee, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to: (i) remove a member of the Management Committee from office, (ii) exclude any Club or Team from membership,
both of which must be supported by more than two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A member of the Management Committee or Club which is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(B) At the AGM, or at a SGM called for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of Rule 9, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club or Team whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by more than two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.

(C) Any Officer or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a Player or Players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of clauses (A) and/or (B) of this Rule.

TROPHY
13. (A) The following agreement shall be signed on behalf of the winners of the cup or trophy:-
“We A [name]and B [name], the Chairman and Secretary of [ ] FC(Limited), members of and representing the Club, having been declared winners of [ ] cup or trophy, and it having been delivered to us by the Competition, do hereby on behalf of the Club jointly and severally agree to return the cup or trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before the last day of February. If the cup or trophy is lost or damaged whilst under our care we agree to refund to the Competition the amount of its current value or the cost of its thorough repair.”
Failure to comply will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(B) At the close of each Competition awards may be made to the winners and runners-up if the funds of the Competition permit.

ALTERATION TO RULES
14. Alterations, for which consent has been given by the Sanctioning Authority, shall be made to these Rules only at the AGM or at a SGM specially convened for the purpose called in accordance with Rule 9. Any alteration made during the Playing Season to these Rules shall not take effect until the following Playing Season.
Notice of proposed alterations to be considered at the AGM shall be submitted to the Secretary by 1st February in each year. The proposals, together with any proposals by the Management Committee, shall be circulated to the Clubs by 7th February and any amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Secretary by 1st March. he proposals and proposed amendments. Thereto shall be circulated to Clubs with the notice of the AGM. A proposal to change a Rule shall be carried if a majority of those present, entitled to vote and voting are in favour.
A copy of the proposed alterations to Rules to be considered at the AGM or SGM shall be submitted to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA (as applicable) at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting or by 1st April whichever is sooner.

FINANCE
15. (A) The Management Committee shall determine with which bank or other financial institution the funds of the Competition will be lodged.
(B) All expenditure in excess of £ 1,000 shall be approved by the Management Committee. Cheques shall be signed by at least two Officers nominated by the Management Committee.
(C) The financial year of the Competition will end on 30th April.
(D) The books, or a certified balance sheet, of a Competition shall be prepared and shall be verified annually by a suitably qualified person(s) who shall be appointed at the AGM.

INSURANCE
16. (A) All Clubs must have valid public liability insurance cover of at least ten million pounds (£10,000,000) at all times.
(B) All Clubs must have valid personal accident cover for all Players registered with them from time to time. The Players’ personal accident insurance cover must be in place prior to the Club taking part in any Competition Match and shall be at least equal to the minimum recommended cover determined from time to time by the Sanctioning Authority. In instances where The FA is the Sanctioning Authority, the minimum recommended cover will be the cover required by the Affiliated Association to which a Club affiliates.
Failure to comply with Rule 16(A) or 16(B) will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

DISSOLUTION
17. (A) Dissolution of the Competition shall be by resolution approved at a SGM by a majority of three quarters (3/4) of the members present and shall take effect from the date of the relevant SGM.
(B) In the event of the dissolution of the Competition, the members of the Management Committee are responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Competition.
(C) The Management Committee shall deal with any surplus assets as follows:
(i) Any surplus assets, save for a trophy or any other presentation, remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Competition shall be transferred only to another Competition or Affiliated Association or The Football Association Benevolent Fund or to such other charitable or benevolent object in the locality of the Competition as determined by resolution at or before the time of winding up, and approved in writing by the Sanctioning Authority.
(ii) If a Competition is discontinued for any reason a trophy or any other presentation shall be returned to the donor if the conditions attached to it so provide or, if not, dealt with as the Sanctioning Authority may decide.

MATCH RELATED RULES
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
18. (A) (i) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has: -
(a) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, countersigned by his /her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club, and who has been registered with the Divisional Secretary 2 days prior to the Player playing and whose completed registration counterfoil has been received by the Club prior to playing in a Competition Match.
The registration document must incorporate emergency contact details of the Player’s parents
or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events the Player attends within the management of the Club or Competition;
or
(b) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing which is countersigned by his/ her parent or guardian and by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the (Registrations) Secretary within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the Competition Match.
The Player shall not play again on a subsequent match day until the Club is in possession of the completed counterfoil. A maximum of 2 Players may be registered in emergency contact details of the Players’ parents or guardians. These details must be available at matches and training events the Player attends within the management of the Club or Competition;
or registered through WGS.
(c)
Any registration form which is sent by either of the means set out at Rules 18(A) (i)(a) or (b) above that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed. If a Club attempts to register a player via WGS but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via WGS, the registration will not be processed.
For Clubs registering Players under Rules 18(A) (i) (a) or (b) registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition. For Clubs registering Players via WGS (under Rule 18 (A) (i) (c)) Clubs must access WGS in order to complete the registration process.
Rule 18 (A) (i) (c)) Clubs must access WGS in order to complete the registration process.
(ii) Registration forms may also be submitted to the Divisional Secretary by electronic
mail or facsimile machine prior to the Player playing in a Competition Match. The original document must be forwarded by post to the appropriate Officer of the Competition within three days of the Competition Match
The registration document must incorporate a current passport-size photograph of the Player seeking registration together with confirmation that the Player’s proof of date of birth has been checked by the Club and is accurate.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
[Note: Clubs who find themselves on General Suspension through the Hampshire FA or who have been suspended from the League for any reason shall not receive any registration forms until any such suspensions are lifted. Secretary must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope for return posting. Cards sent by facsimile machine or e-mail shall be the responsibility of the registering club to either provide a stamped address envelope or arrange to pick up from the divisional secretary at the divisional secretary’s convenience.
Clubs shall have no restriction on the number of players signed in a season.
Club Secretary’s should ensure that the player’s registration forms are FULLY completed, as an incomplete registration form WILL be designated void.]

(B) (i) Contract Players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception
of those Players who are registered under contract with the same Club who have a Team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System.
It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

(ii) A Player registered with a Premier League or English Football League Academy under the Elite Player Performance Plan contained within Youth Development Rules will not be permitted to play in this Competition.

Details of the Youth Development Rules are published on The FA website. A Player registered

with a FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club may play in this Competition subject to the FA Programme

for Excellence (Female) Regulations.

(iii) Each Team must have the following number of Players registered by 31st July before
the start of each Playing Season:

FORMAT MINIMUM NUMBER
5v5 5
7v7 7
9v9 9
11v11 11
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(Note: Every team must register sufficient eligible players to enable them to fulfil their fixtures. Area Schools Representative Squad players should only be signed as additional members of the squad.
For example, a squad should always consist of at least 9 (nine) players plus any Area Schools Representative Squad players.
Each manager must carry his team registration cards at all matches. These MUST be produced to opposing Club officials (normally at the time of the Respect handshake) and in full view of the referee and, on request, to referees and members of the League Management Committee or be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
No player will be permitted to play in a Mid Solent League or Cup match until their registration card has been produced as detailed above.)

(C) A child who has not attained the age of 6 shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match of any kind.

The relevant age for each Player is determined by his or her age as at midnight on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season i.e. children who are aged 6 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season (together with those who attain the age of 6 during the Playing Season) will be classed as Under 7 Players for that Playing Season. Children who are aged 7 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season will be classed as Under 8 Players for that Playing Season, and so on.

Notwithstanding the above, a child is permitted to play up in the age group above his or her chronological age group, irrespective of any changes of format or competition structure, save that a child who attains the age of 6 after 31 August is permitted to play only in the Under 7 age group, and may not play in the Under 8 age group, for that Playing Season.

The age groups that children are eligible to play in are set out in the table below, along with the permitted football formats for each of those age groups. Children shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match between sides of more than the stated number of players, according to their age group:

(D) A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered, if applicable.

[Note: All club officials i.e. Managers, Coaches, First Aiders, Child Welfare Officers, who come into direct contact with children at games SHALL be required to register with the League their Identity and CRC details before the start of each season.
A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid for each official registered. Registration forms shall be obtained from the Secretary on prepayment of the fee.
Failure to register will result in that club official being unable to partake in the Mid Solent Youth Football League until such time as the details are registered.

The I.D. card provided to each person as proof of registration is to be clearly visible at all times during match days and is to be shown to opposition counterparts on demand. Failure to do so shall result in a fine of £ 10.00 in the first instance. Further offences by the same individual will be dealt with by the Management Committee.]

(E) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes taking into account the following.
(i) A Player shall not be permitted to register for more than one Club subject to the exceptions set out in Rule 18 (E)(iii) below.
(ii) In the event of a Player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the Player shall be registered. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the Player of the fact of the previous registration subject to the exceptions set out in Rule 18 (E)(iii) below.
(iii) A Player is only permitted to register for more than one Club provided that:

a. The Team(s) in which the Player plays in are not in the same age group; or
b. Except for the purpose of a transfer.
(F) And the Player meets the requirements in Rule 18(C).
It shall be a breach of these Rules for a Player to: -
(i) Play for more than one Team in the same age group in the Competition in the same
Playing Season without first being transferred.
(ii) Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the
Competition in that Playing Season, except if the provisions set out in Rule 18 (E)(iii) apply.
(iii) Submit a signed registration form or submit a registration through WGS for
registration that the Player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(G) (i) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the
registration of any Player subject to the provisions of Rule 18(G)(ii) and (iii) below.
(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the
registration of any Player, the exercise of such power being without prejudice to the
Management Committee’s ability to fine a Club at its discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) that has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7).
(iii) The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse or cancel the
registration of any Player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 7)
subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA. Where the Management
Committee does not have enough information to enable it to make a decision pursuant to the

above power, it may apply, in its absolute discretion, to the Sanctioning Authority or The FA for
further information.
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter
a Participant from being involved in this Competition.
(iv) For a Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule
but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be
under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the
Player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition,
(excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further
charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.
(Note: Action under Rule 18(G)(iii) shall only be taken against a Player in cases of the Player
bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the
Sanctioning Authority or The FA. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the
purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where
the Player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based
discipline, in any competition (and is not restricted to the
(H) Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2(a) when a Club wishes to register a player who is
already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer form (in a format as determined
by the Competition) to the Competition accompanied by a fee as set out in the Fees Tariff.
Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition to the club for which the player is registered.
Should this club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Competition
and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon receipt of the
Club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the Secretary may,
on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to
play for the new Club from such date or 2 days after receipt of such transfer. Competition) in a
period of two years or less from the date of the first offence.)
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management
(I)A player may not be registered for a club nor transferred to another club in the Competition after the last day of February except by special permission of the Management Committee.
(J) A club shall keep a list of the Players it registers and a record of all matches those players have played for the Club and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.
In the event a Club has more than one team in an age group, each team must be clearly identifiable but not designated ‘A’ or ‘B’ or 1st or 2nd. In such cases, players will be registered for one team only. A player so registered will be allowed to play for the club in a younger or older age group within the provisions of rule 18(C).
(K) A register containing the names of all players registered for each club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Divisional Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of an officer of the club at all Management Committee meetings or at any times mutually arranged. Registration are valid for one playing season only.
In the event of a Non Contract Player changing his status to that of a Contract Player with the same club, another club in the competition or with a club in another competition his registration as a Non Contract Player will automatically be cancelled and be declared void unless the club confirms to the exception detailed in Rule 18(B)(i).
(L) A Player shall not be eligible to play for a team in any special championship.
(N) (i) Subject to rule 18(N)(ii), any club found to have played and ineligible player in a competition match or matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from that competition match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(ii) The Management Committee nay vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18(N)(i) only in circumstances where the ineligibly is due to the failure to obtain International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the player’s status, promotion or relegation deciding Competition Match (as specified in Rule 22(A)) unless the player has played one league game for that team in the current playing season.
(iii) Where a club is found to have played an ineligible player in accordance with Rule 18 (N)(i) above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion:
(a) Award the points available in the competition match in question to the opponents, subject to the competition match not being ordered to be replayed.
(b) Levy penalty points against the club on default: or
(c) Order that such competition match or matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the management committee)
(Then following clause applies to competitions involving players in full-time secondary education):-
(O) (i) Priority must be given at all time to school and school organisation activities. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the head teacher (except for Sunday League competitions).
(iii) A child under the age of 15 as at midnight 31st August in the relevant playing season, shall not be permitted to play in a competition match during the playing season where any other player is older or younger than that child by two years or more.
CLUB COLOURS
19. Every club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 31st May who shall decide as to their suitability.
Any club wishing to change its colours during the playing season must obtain permission from the Management Committee.
Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all the other players and match officials. No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeeper jersey) at least 7 days before the Competition Match.

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick-off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Shirts must be numbered, failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(Any Club wishing to advertise details of the sponsors on the shirts or other items of kit must have the prior permission of the Hampshire FA and be in accordance with FA Regulations relating to advertising on clothing.)

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF, POSTPONEMENTS, SUBSTITUTES
20. (A) All Competition Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board or, for Mini-Soccer, and 9v9 football, the Rules as set down by The FA.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their Grounds in a playable condition. All Competition Matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Team a Competition Match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.

The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facility are suitable for Competition Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition Matches on another ground.

Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches. All Football Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the pitch to the Register.
The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20(C).

(Each home club shall make arrangements for the provision of designated areas for spectators. This area can be marked by an additional painted line, the use of cones, a roped off area or use of a temporary spectator barrier. The area for spectators should start two metres from the touchline on both sides of the pitch. Each area should run the full length of the pitch. It is recognised, however, that the alignment of some public pitches does not allow for this arrangement in which case other appropriate arrangements should be made.)

All Competition Matches shall have a duration as set out below unless a shorter time is mutually arranged by the two Clubs in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the Competition Match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.

For round robin/trophy events, the maximum duration of play per hour cannot be exceeded but the minimum duration of play per half may be adjusted.
For trophy events, the Competition may award mementos.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent
of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the Competition Match with written notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior.
[Note: Subject to agreement at the AGM, the Mid Solent Football League shall conduct its fixtures on a Saturday morning with a latest kick off time of 11.45am. Kick off time shall be no earlier than 9.30am unless mutually agreed between the opposing clubs. Due consideration should be given to venues being used by different clubs and the competition being played i.e. Cup matches. Due consideration should be given to the length of and the travelling time of visiting clubs. PM kick offs will only be permitted in extreme circumstances and with the full agreement of all interested parties and ratified by the Management Committee and within the current guidelines laid out in Rule 10 (C).
In the event of a kick-off after midday being sanctioned the home club must give at least 14 days’ notice to the visiting teams Secretary unless mutually agreed, the exception being Hampshire Cup fixtures which may carry a PM kick off).
Referees must order Competition Matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Secretary.
The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Secretary if the footballs are unsuitable. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(B) Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must
be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County
Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may
mutually agree to bring forward a Competition Match with the consent of the Divisional
Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines
Tariff.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’
notice of the Competition Match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).
(C) An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and
access to, the Ground and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing
Club at least 7 clear days prior to the playing of the Competition Match. If not so provided, the
away Club shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to
comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(D) The minimum number of Players that will constitute a Team for a Competition Match
FORMAT MINIMUM NUMBER
5v5 4
7v7 5
9v9 6
11v11 7
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(E) (i) In competitions where points are awarded, home and away matches shall
be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee
shall have the power to impose a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from
the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents,
order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or
otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and
away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a Competition Match
to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s Ground if they are satisfied that such
action is warranted by the circumstance
(ii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been
postponed or any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Divisional Secretary, the
Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials
(iii) In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes
over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually
agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement
and notification to the Divisional Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have
the power to order the Competition Match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.
Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and the Clubs involved agree, the
Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(iv) The Management Committee shall review all Competition Matches abandoned in
cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the
advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee
shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases
where the Management Committee are satisfied that a Competition Match was abandoned
owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award
the points for the Competition Match to the opponent. In cases where a Competition Match
has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both Teams or their Club member(s), the
Management Committee shall rule that neither Team will be awarded any points for that
Competition Match and it shall not be replayed. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management
Committee for an abandoned Competition Match.
(v) The Management Committee shall review any Competition Match that has taken
place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA or
Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with
in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule
18(N)(i) above. Where both Teams were under suspension the Competition Match must be
declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

(F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute
Players in any Competition Match. Where a Competition does allow return substitutes:
For Under 11s - Under 18s – a Club may use up to 5 from 5 substitute Players. A
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(E) (i) In competitions where points are awarded, home and away matches shall
be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee
shall have the power to impose a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from
the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents,
order the defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or
otherwise deal with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and
away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a Competition Match
to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s Ground if they are satisfied that such
action is warranted by the circumstance
(ii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been
postponed or any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Divisional Secretary, the
Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the secretary of the opposing Club and the Match Officials
(iii) In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes
over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually
agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement
and notification to the Divisional Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have
the power to order the Competition Match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.
Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and the Clubs involved agree, the
Management Committee shall also be empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(iv) The Management Committee shall review all Competition Matches abandoned in
cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the
advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee
shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases
where the Management Committee are satisfied that a Competition Match was abandoned
owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award
the points for the Competition Match to the opponent. In cases where a Competition Match
has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both Teams or their Club member(s), the
Management Committee shall rule that neither Team will be awarded any points for that
Competition Match and it shall not be replayed. No fine(s) can be applied by the Management
Committee for an abandoned Competition Match.
(v) The Management Committee shall review any Competition Match that has taken
place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA or
Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with
in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule
18(N)(i) above. Where both Teams were under suspension the Competition Match must be
declared null and void and shall not be replayed.

(F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute
Players in any Competition Match. Where a Competition does allow return substitutes:
For Under 11s - Under 18s – a Club may use up to 5 from 5 substitute Players. A
For Mini-Soccer – any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission
of the referee. Entry onto the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play. A
Player who has been replaced may return to play as a substitute for another Player. A Team
must not have a match day squad greater than double the size of its team in an age group.
In Youth Football only, the referee shall be informed of the names of the substitute Players not
later than 5 minutes before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may
not take part in that Competition Match.
A Player who has named as a substitute before the start of that Competition Match but does
not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that Competition
Match within the meaning of Rule 18 of this Competition.
(G) The half time interval shall be of 10 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15
minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
(H) The Teams taking part in Under 7s to Under 11 or Youth Football shall identify a Team
captain who shall wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the
management of the on-field discipline of his/her teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule
will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

REPORTING RESULTS
21. (A) The Divisional Secretary must receive within 1 day of the date played, the result
of each Competition Match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and
surname of the Team Players (in block letters) and also the referee markings required by Rule
23, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will
result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(B) Both Clubs shall telephone/SMS/email/notify the result of each Competition Match
to the Divisional Secretary by7.00pm on the day of the Match Failure to comply with this Rule
will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by an Officer of
the Club, or as prescribed by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a
fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(D) The Competition and Clubs are permitted to collect but NOT publish results or any
grading tables for fixtures involving Under 7s, Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 10s, and Under 11s.
Any Competition failing to abide by this Rule will be dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority,
and any Club failing to abide by this Rule will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. The
Competition and Clubs are permitted to collect and publish results for trophy events.
DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
22. (A) In Competitions where points are awarded, Team rankings within the
Competition will be decided by points with three points to be awarded for a win and one point
for a drawn Competition Match. The Teams gaining the highest number of points in their
respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall be adjudged the winners.
Competition Matches must not be played for double points.
In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season,
rankings may be determined by a deciding match or matches played under conditions
determined by the Management Committee, or the position shared.
(B) Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first 2 Teams and automatic relegation
shall be applied for the last 2 Teams in each division except as provided for hereunder, subject
an equal number of teams to those withdrawing in that division shall not be automatically relegated
(i) Should one or more teams withdraw from one division after the playing season has commenced
(ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the playing season may be filled in any of the following ways:
a) Retention of otherwise relegated team(s) or
b) Additional promotion of next ranked team(s) from the division below or
c) Election
In the event of a team withdrawing from the competition before completing 75% of its fixtures for the playing season, all point obtained or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the competition table. For the purposes of this Rule 22 (D) a completed fixture list shall include competition matches(es) which has been awarded by the Management Committee

MATCH OFFICIALS
23. (A) Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.

(B) In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee. Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any open age competition and individuals under the age of 14 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in any Competition Match. Referees between the ages of 14 and 16 are only eligible to officiate in competitions where the Players’ age band is at least one year younger than the age of the referee, for example a 15-year-old referee may only officiate in competitions where the age banding is 14 or younger.

(C) Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) being imposed on the defaulting Club.

(D) The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted.

(E) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff inclusive of travel expenses.

Match Officials will be paid their fees and/or expenses by the home Club unless otherwise ordered by the Management Committee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(F) In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(G) A referee not keeping his or her engagement and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with which he or she is registered.

(H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks to the referee for each Competition Match and the name of the referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed form provided. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as the Management Committee shall determine.

(I) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the form provided by the prescribed date each Season, shall submit a summary to The FA/County FA.
(J) The referee shall submit a report form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the Competition Match, the number of Players in each Team and the time of kick-off to the Divisional Secretary within two days of the Competition Match.

(K) Match Officials shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.

(L) Match Officials shall have undertaken a RESPECT briefing offered by The FA/County FA or the Competition.

2(G) Failure to Affiliate £100.00
2(I) Failure to comply with FA initiatives £100.00
2(K) Unauthorised entry of teams into competitions £100.00
3 Failure to obtain consent for a change of Club name £30.00
4(C) Failure to pay deposit £100.00
4(E) Failure to provide affiliation number/details form £100.00
5(E) Communications conducted by persons other
then nominated person £25.00
6(H) Failure to comply with an instruction of the
Management Committee £100.00
6(I) Failure to pay a fine within required timeframe
double the original fine up to £100.00
8(H) Failure to be represented at the AGM £100.00
9 Failure to be represented at the SGM £100.00
10 Failure to submit the required written agreement
or to notify charges to signatories £25.00
11(A) Failure to provide notice of withdrawal before deadline £100.00
11(B) Failure to submit the required written agreement
Regarding the trophy £25.00
16(A) Failure to have the required insurance £100.00
16(B) Failure to have the required insurance £100.00
18(A) Failure to correctly register a player £40.00
18 (B) (iii) Failure to have the required number of
Registered players prior to the playing season commencing £25.00
18(F) Registering or playing for multiple clubs or Inaccurate
completion of a registration form £25.00
18(G)(ii) Registration irregularities £100.00
18(M) Fielding more than the permitted number of Players who
have participated in senior competitions matches N/A
18(O)(i) Failure to give priority to Schools activities £50.00
19 Failure to number shirts £10.00
(per shirt, up to an aggregate maximum of £30.00)
19 Delaying kick off due to no change of colours £30.00
20(A) Delaying kick off due to failure to provide required
Equipment £30.00
20(B) Failure to play matches on the date fixed £100.00
20(C) Failure to provide details of a fixture £50.00
20(D) Playing matches with less than required number of players £100.00
20(E)(i) & (iii) Failure to play a fixture £100.00
20(H) No captain’s armband £10.00
21(A) & 21(C) Late result notification form £20.00
21(B) Failure to provide result £20.00
21(D) Publishing results/grading tables for fixture involving
U7’s, U8’s, U9’s, U10’s or U11’s £50.00
23(C) Failure to provide club assistant referee £25.00

“Affiliated Association” means an Association accorded the status of an Affiliated Association under the rules of The FA.

“AGM” shall mean the annual general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

“Club” means a club for the time being in membership of the Competition.

“Competition” means the Mid Solent Football League.
“Competition Match” means any match played or to be played under the jurisdiction of the Competition.

“Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play under a written contract of employment with a Club.

“Deposit” means a sum of money deposited with the Competition as part of the requirements of membership of the Competition.

“Fees Tariff” means a list of fees approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any matters for which fees are payable under the Rules, as set out at Schedule A. “Fines Tariff” means a list of fines approved by the Clubs at a general meeting to be levied by the Management Committee for any breach of the Rules, as set out at Schedule A. “Ground” means the ground on which the Club’s Team(s) plays its Competition Matches. “Management Committee” means in the case of a Competition which is an unincorporated association, the management committee elected to manage the running of the Competition and where the Competition is incorporated it means the Board of Directors appointed in accordance with the articles of association of that company.

“Match Officials” means the referee, the assistant referees and any fourth official appointed to a Competition Match.

“Non-Contract Player” means any Player (other than a Player on a Scholarship) who is eligible to play for a Club but has not entered into a written contract of employment.

“Officer” means an individual who is appointed or elected to a position in a Club or Competition which requires that individual to make day to day decisions.

“Participant” shall have the same meaning as set out in the rules of The FA from time to time. “Player” means any Contract Player, Non-Contract Player or other player who plays or who is eligible to play for a Club.

“Playing Season” means the period between the date on which the first competitive fixture in the Competition is played each year until the date on which the last competitive fixture in the Competition is played.

“Rules” means these rules under which the Competition is administered.

“Sanctioning “Scholarship” “Authority” means a Scholarship means [The as FA] set [the out Hampshire in Rule C County3(a)(i) Football of the rules Association of The FA. Limited].

“Season” means the period of time between an AGM and the subsequent AGM.

“Secretary” means such person or persons appointed or elected to carry out the administration of the Competition.

“SGM” means a special general meeting held in accordance with the constitution of the Competition.

Team” means a team affiliated to a Club, including where a Club provides more than one team in the Competition in accordance with the Rules.

“The FA” means The Football Association Limited.

“WGS” means the Whole Game System and the procedures for the operation thereof as determined by The FA from time to time.

“written” or “in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words or symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise.

QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
18. (A) A Player is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has:

(i) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink, counter signed by an Officer of the Club, which is submitted to the Competition 2 days prior to the Player playing and whose registration has been confirmed by the Competition prior to that Player playing in a Competition Match;
Or
(ii) signed a fully and correctly completed Competition registration form in ink on a match day prior to playing which is countersigned by an Officer of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club, and submitted to the Competition within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the Competition Match. The Player shall not play again on a subsequent match day until the Club is in possession of the approval of the Competition. A maximum of 2 Players may be registered in accordance with this paragraph 18(A)(ii);
or
(iii) registered through WGS.
Any registration form which is sent by either of the means set out at Rules 18(A) (i) or (ii) above that is not fully and correctly completed will be returned to the Club unprocessed. If a Club
(D) A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid by each Club/Team for each Player registered.
[Note: All club officials i.e. Managers, Coaches, First Aiders, Child Welfare Officers, who come into direct contact with children at games SHALL be required to register with the League their Identity and CRC details before the start of each season.

A fee as set out in the Fees Tariff shall be paid for each official registered.

Registration forms shall be obtained from the Secretary on prepayment of the fee.

Failure to register will result in that club official being unable to partake in the Mid Solent Football League until such time as the details are registered.

attempts to register a player via WGS but does not fully and correctly complete the necessary information via WGS, the registration will not be processed.

For Clubs registering Players under Rules 18(A) (i) or (ii), registration forms will be provided in a format to be determined by the Competition. For Clubs registering Players via WGS (under Rule 18 (A) (iii)), Clubs must access WGS in order to complete the registration process. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

[Note: Clubs who find themselves on General Suspension through the Hampshire FA or who have been suspended from the League for any reason shall not receive any registration forms until any such suspensions are lifted.

All registration cards sent by post to a Divisional Secretary must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope for return posting. Cards sent by facsimile machine or e-mail shall be the responsibility of the registering club to either provide a stamped address envelope or arrange to pick up from the divisional secretary at the divisional secretary’s convenience.
Clubs shall have no restriction on the number of players signed in a season. Club Secretary’s should ensure that the player’s registration forms are FULLY completed, as an incomplete registration form WILL be designated void.]

(B) (i) Contract players are not permitted in this Competition with the exception of those Players who are registered under Contract with the same Club who have a team operating at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System.

It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any Player registered to the Club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate. Clearance is required for any Player aged 10 and over crossing borders including Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

(ii) Each Club must have at least 11 Players registered 31st July days before the start of each Playing Season. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(iii) Each manager must carry his team registration cards at all matches. These MUST be produced to opposing Club officials (normally at the time of the Respect handshake) and in full view of the referee and, on request, to referees and members of the League Management Committee or be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

No player will be permitted to play in a Mid Solent League or Cup match until their registration card has been produced as detailed above.)

Under 19 League – the players must be under the age of 19 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season, although 2 overage players may be included in a team.

Under 20 League – the players must be under the age of 21 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season, although 2 overage players may be included in a team.

Under 21 League – the players must be under the age of 21 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season, although 2 overage players may be included in a team.

(C) A Player that owes a Football Debt (as defined under the Football Debt Recovery Regulations) to any club(s) shall be permitted to register and play for a Club in Competition Matches, save that the Player may be liable to be suspended from playing for that Club should the Player fail to comply with the terms of the Football Debt Recovery Regulations in respect of that Football Debt.

The I.D. card provided to each person as proof of registration is to be clearly visible at all times during match days and is to be shown to opposition counterparts on demand. Failure to do so shall result in a fine of £10.00 in the first instance. Further offences by the same individual will be dealt with by the Management Committee.]
(D) The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.

In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club, priority of registration shall decide for which Club the Player shall be registered. The Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.

(E) It shall be a breach of Rule for a Player to: -

i. Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same Playing Season without first being transferred.
ii. Having registered for one Club in the Competition, register for another Club in the Competition in that Playing Season except for the purpose of a transfer.
iii. Submit a signed registration form or submit a registration through WGS for registration that the Player had wilfully neglected to accurately or fully complete.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(G) (i) The Management Committee shall have the power to accept the registration of any Player subject to the provisions of Rules 18(G) (ii) and (iii) below.
(ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel or suspend the registration of any Player or may fine any Player, at their discretion (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) who has been charged and found guilty of registration irregularities (subject to Rule 7).

(i) The Management Committee shall have power to make application to refuse or cancel the registration of any Player charged and found guilty of undesirable conduct (subject to Rule 7) subject to the right of appeal to the Sanctioning Authority. Application should be made to the parent County of the Club the Player is registered or intending to be registered with.
Undesirable conduct shall mean an incident of repeated proven misconduct, which may deter a Participant from being involved in this Competition.

(ii) For a Player who has previously had a registration removed in accordance with Rule
18(G)(iii) but has a registration accepted at the expiry of exclusion will be considered to be
under a probationary period of 12 months. Whilst under a probationary period, should the
Player commit a further act of proven misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Competition,
(excluding standard dismissals), the Competition would be empowered to consider a further
charge of bringing the Competition into disrepute.
(Note: Action under Rule 18(G) (iii) shall not be taken against a Player for misconduct until the
matter has been dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and then only in cases of the Player
bringing the Competition into disrepute and will in any event be subject to an appeal to the
Sanctioning Authority or The FA. All decisions must include the period of restriction. For the
purpose of this Rule, bringing the Competition into disrepute can only be considered where
the Player has received in excess of 112 days’ suspension, or 10 matches in match based
or less from the date of the first offence.)

(H) Subject to compliance with FA Rule C2(a) when a Club wishes to register a player
who is already registered with another club it shall submit a transfer form (in a format as
determined by the Competition) to the Competition accompanied by a fee as set out in the
Fees Tariff.
Such transfer shall be referred by the Competition to the club for which the player
is registered. Should this club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to
the Competition and to the player concerned within 3 days of receipt of the notification. Upon
receipt of the club’s consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within 3 days, the
Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be
deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date or 2 days after receipt of such
transfer.
In the event of an objection to a transfer the matter shall be referred to the Management
Committee for a decision.
(I) A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the
Competition after the last day of February except by special permission of the Management
Committee.
(J) A Club shall keep a list of the Players it registers and a record of all matches in which
those Players have played for the Club, and shall produce such records upon demand by the
Management Committee. of all Players registered for each Club, with
(K) A register containing the names
the date of registration, shall be kept by the Divisional Secretary and shall be open to the
inspection of an Officer of the Club at all Management Committee meetings or at other times
mutually arranged. Registrations are valid for one Playing Season only. status to
In the event of a Non-Contract Player without a written contract changing his
that of a Contract Player with the same Club, another Club in the Competition or with a
club in another competition his registration as a Non-Contract Player will automatically be
cancelled and declared void unless the Club conforms to the exception detailed in Rule
18(B)(i). A Player shall not be eligible to play for a Team in any special championship,
(L)
promotion or relegation deciding Competition Match (as specified in Rule 22(A)) unless the
Player has played 1 Competition Matches for that Team in the current Playing Season.
(M) A Team shall not include more than 5 Players who have taken part in 5or more senior
Competition Matches during the current Playing Season unless a period of 21 days has
elapsed since they last played. For the purpose of this Rule senior competitions are as defined
by the Hampshire Football association’s precedence of competitions list.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(N) (i) Subject to Rule 18(N)(ii), any Club found to have played an ineligible Player in a
Competition Match or Matches where points are awarded shall have the points gained from
that Competition Match deducted from its record, up to a maximum of 12 points, and have levied upon it a fine (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

(ii) The Management Committee may vary the sanction as relates to the deduction of points set out at Rule 18(N)(i) only in circumstances where the ineligibility is due to the failure to obtain an International Transfer Certificate or where the ineligibility is related to the Player’s status.

(iii) Where a Club is found to have played an ineligible Player in accordance with Rule 18(N)(i) above, the Management Committee may also, at its discretion:

a) Award the points available in the Competition Match in question to the opponents, subject to the Competition Match not being ordered to be replayed; or

b) Levy penalty points against the Club in default; or

c) Order that such Competition Match or Matches be replayed (on such terms as are decided by the Management Committee).

Priority must be given at all times to school and school organisations activities. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(ii) The availability of children must be cleared with the Head Teachers (except for Sunday leagues competitions).

(iii) To play open age football the player must have achieved the age of 16.

(P) A Player who has played for a Team in the premier division 8 times or more shall not in that Playing Season be eligible to play in a lower division except by permission of the Management Committee.

CLUB COLOURS

19. Every Club must register the colour of its shirts and shorts with the Secretary by 31st May who shall decide as to their suitability.

Any Club wishing to change its colours during the Playing Season must obtain permission from the Management Committee.

Goalkeepers must wear colours which distinguish them from all other Players and the Match Officials.

No Player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts. Any Team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify its opponents the colours in which they will play (including the colours of the goalkeeper’s jersey) at least 7 days before the Competition Match.

If, in the opinion of the referee, two Teams have the same or similar colours, the away Team shall make the change. Should a Team delay the scheduled time of kick off for a Competition Match by not having a change of colours they will be fined in accordance with the Fines Tariff. Shirts must be numbered, failing which a fine will be levied in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

(Any Club wishing to advertise details of the sponsors on the shirts or other items of kit must have the prior permission of the Hampshire FA and be in accordance with FA Regulations relating to advertising on clothing.)

PLAYING SEASON. CONDITIONS OF PLAY, TIMES OF KICK-OFF. POSTPONEMENTS. SUBSTITUTES
20. (A) All Competition Matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.

Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their Grounds in a playable condition. All Competition Matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home Team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.
The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facility are
suitable for Competition Matches and to order the Club concerned to play its Competition
Match(es) on another ground.
Football Turf Pitches (3G) are allowed in this Competition provided they meet the required
performance standards and are listed on the FA’s Register of Football Turf Pitches. All Football
Turf Pitches used must be tested (by a FIFA accredited test institute) every three years and
the results passed to The FA. The FA will give a decision on the suitability for use and add the
pitch to the Register.
The home Club is also responsible for advising Participants of footwear requirements when
confirming match arrangements in accordance with Rule 20(C).
Within the National League System (“NLS”) all Competition Matches shall have a duration of
90 minutes. All Competition Matches outside of the NLS shall have duration of 90 minutes
unless a shorter time (not less than sixty (60) minutes) is mutually arranged by the two Clubs
in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall
be of equal halves. Two matches involving the same two Teams can be played on the same
day providing the total playing time is not more than 120 minutes.
The times of kick-off shall be fixed at the AGM and can only be altered by the mutual consent
of the two competing Clubs prior to the scheduled date of the Competition Match with written
notification given to the Competition at least 7 days prior.
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late
starts to the Competition.
The home Team must provide goal nets, corner flags and at least two footballs fit for play and
the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Failure to
comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(B) Except by permission of the Management Committee all Competition Matches must
be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The FA and parent County
Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary. Clubs may
mutually agree to bring forward a Competition match with the consent of the Divisional
Secretary. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines
Tariff.
In the case of a revised fixture date, the Clubs must be given by the Competition 5 clear days’
notice of the match (unless otherwise mutually agreed).
(C) An Officer of the home Club must give notice of full particulars of the location of, and
access to, the Ground and time of kick-off to the Match Officials and an Officer of the opposing
Club at least 7 clear days prior to the playing of the match. If not so provided, the away Club
shall seek such details and report the circumstances to the Competition. Failure to comply
with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(D) In accordance with the Laws of the Game, the minimum number of Players that will
constitute a Team for a Competition Match is 7. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a
fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(E)(i) In competitions where points are awarded, home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have the power to impose a fine (accordance with the Fines Tariff), deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the Competition Match in question to the opponents, order the
defaulting Club to pay any reasonable expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal
with them except the award of goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a Competition Match
to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s Ground if they are satisfied that such
action is warranted by the circumstances.
(ii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the Divisional Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the opposing Club and the Match Officials
(iii) In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes
over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee. Failing such agreement and notification to the Divisional Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have the power to order the Competition Match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition and the Clubs involved agree, the Management Committee shall also be the empowered to order the score at the time of an abandonment to stand. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(vi) The Management Committee shall review any Competition Match that has taken
place where either or both Teams were under a suspension imposed upon them by The FA or
Affiliated Association. In each case the Team that was under suspension would be dealt with
in the same manner as if they had participated with ineligible players in accordance with Rule
18(N) above. Where both Teams were under suspension the game must be declared null and
void and shall not be replayed.
(F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use
substitute Players in any Competition Match. A Club may name up to 5 substitute Players of
whom not more than 5 may be used.
A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a Player at
any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of
Association Football. (iii) Any Club unable to fulfil a fixture or where a Competition Match
has been postponed for any reason must, without delay, give notice to the (Fixtures)
Secretary, the Competition Referees Appointments Secretary, the secretary of the opposing
Club and the Match Officials.
(iv) In the event of a Competition Match not being played or abandoned owing to causes
over which neither Club has control, it should be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually
agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee.
Failing such agreement and notification to the Divisional Secretary within 7 days the
Management Committee shall have the power to order the Competition Match to be played
on a named date or on or before a given date. Where it is to the advantage of the Competition
and the Clubs involved agree, the Management Committee shall also be empowered to order
the score at the time of an abandonment to stand.
Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(v) The Management Committee shall review all Competition Matches abandoned in
cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both Teams. Where it is to the
advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, the Management Committee
shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. In all cases
where the Management Committee are satisfied that a Competition Match was abandoned
owing to the conduct of one Team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award
the points for the Competition Match to the opponent. In cases where a Competition Match
The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitute Players not later than 15 minutes
before the start of the Competition Match and a Player not so named may not take part in that
Competition Match.
A Player who has been named as a substitute before the start of the Competition Match but
does not actually play in that game shall not be considered to have been a Player in that
Competition Match within the meaning of Rule 18 of this Competition.
(G) The half time interval shall be of 10 minutes’ duration, but it shall not exceed 15
minutes. The half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
(H) The Teams taking part in a Competition Match shall identify a Team captain who shall
wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the
on-field discipline of his/her teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in
accordance with the Fines Tariff.

REPORTING RESULTS
21. (A) The Divisional Secretary must receive within 1 days of the date played, the result
of each Competition Match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forename(s) and
surname of the Team Players (in block letters) and also the referee markings required by
Rule 23, or any other information required by the Competition. Failure to comply with this Rule
will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP
22. (A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with three points
to be awarded for a win and one point for a drawn Competition Match. The Teams gaining the
highest number of points in their respective divisions at the end of the Playing Season shall
be adjudged the winners. Competition Matches must not be played for double points.
In the event of two or more Teams being equal on points at the end of the Playing Season,
rankings shall be determined by goal difference (where the goals scored against each Team
shall be deducted from the goals scored by that Team and the Team with the most favourable
goal difference shall be placed highest).
In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has scored the most goals
during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.
In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team that has won the most matches
during the Playing Season shall be placed highest.
In the event of two or more Teams still being equal, the Team which has the better playing
record against the other Team in their head to head Competition Matches during the Playing
Season will be placed highest.
If the records of two or more Teams are still equal and it is necessary for any reason to
determine the position of each then the Teams affected shall play a deciding match or matches
under conditions as determined by the Management Committee.
(B) Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first 2 Teams and automatic relegation
shall be applied for the last 2 Teams in each division except as provided for hereunder, subject
to the provisions of Rule 2(L).
i. Should one or more Teams withdraw from any one division after the Playing Season
has commenced an equal number of Teams to those withdrawing in that division shall not be
automatically relegated.
ii. Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the Playing Season may be filled in any
of the following ways:
• retention of otherwise relegated Team(s); or
• additional promotion of the next ranked Team(s) from the division below; or
• election.
iii. Not applicable to this competition.
iv. Not applicable to this competition.
v. Not applicable to this competition.
(C) Not applicable to this competition.
(D) In the event of a Team withdrawing from the Competition before completing 75% of
its fixtures for the Playing Season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting
Team shall be expunged from the Competition table. For the purposes of this Rule 22(D) a
completed fixture shall include any Competition Match(es) which has been awarded by the
Management Committee.

(E) Where a promotion and/or relegation link exists between Competitions 1 Club,
providing they meet the appropriate grading criteria, will be eligible to make application to the Hampshire Premier League at their Annual General Meeting. Should the Champion Club not wish for promotion or, alternatively, not have the necessary grading criteria, then the second or third placed Club will be eligible under the same conditions.

At the end of each season and depending on the geographical location of Clubs gaining promotion to or being relegated from the Hampshire Premier League Competition, it may be necessary for the Competition either (a) to accept a Club from the Hampshire Premier League
Competition, or (b) have a Club transferred to the same Competition.
The bottom 2 Clubs in the Hampshire Premier League Competition will be relegated. Each
relegated Club will be allocated either to the Portsmouth Saturday Football League
Competition or to the Competition recommended as most appropriate by the Joint Liaison
Committee.
In the event of there being no eligible Club wishing promotion or not having the necessary
grading criteria from any of the Competitions, this will reduce the number of Clubs to be
relegated from the Hampshire Premier League Competition.
If no Clubs are eligible, or wish for promotion, no Clubs will be relegated from the Hampshire
Premier League Competition

MATCH OFFICIALS
23. (A) Registered referees (and assistant referees where approved by The FA or County
FA) for all Competition Matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management
Committee and by the Sanctioning Authority.
(E) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed referee the appointed senior
assistant referee shall take charge and a substitute assistant referee appointed by the
competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Match Officials in
attendance, the Clubs shall agree upon a referee. An individual thus agreed upon shall, for
that Competition Match, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered referee.
Individuals under the age of 16 must not participate either as a referee or assistant referee in
any Competition Match.
(F) Where assistant referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club assistant
referee. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines
Tariff. The appointed referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the Ground in
(G)
all Competition Matches and that decision shall be final, subject to the determination of the
Local Authority or the owners of a Ground, which must be accepted.
(H) Subject to any limits/provisions laid down by the Sanctioning Authority, Match
Officials appointed under this Rule shall be paid a match fee in accordance with the Fees Tariff
inclusive of travel expenses.
Match Officials will be paid their fees by the home Club immediately after the Competition
Match. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.
(I) In the event of a Competition Match not being played because of circumstances over
which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee
only. Where a Competition Match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club
shall be ordered to pay the Match Officials, if they attend the Ground, their full fee and
expenses. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines
Tariff.

A referee not keeping his or her engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory

J)
explanation as to their non-appearance, may be reported to the Affiliated Association with
which he or she is registered.
(K) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The FA, award marks
to the referee for each Competition Match and the name of the referee and the marks awarded
shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed form provided. Clubs failing to comply
with this Rule shall be liable to be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff) or dealt with as
the Management Committee shall determine.
(L) The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the form provided by
the prescribed date each Season, shall submit a summary to The FA/County FA.
(M) The referee shall submit a report form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result
of the Competition Match, the number of Players in each Team and the time of kick-off to the (Registration) Secretary within two days of the Competition Match.
(N) Match Officials shall be supplied, each season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
(O) Match Officials shall have undertaken a RESPECT briefing offered by The FA/County FA or the Competition.

MSLCoftheMid1TheseSolentCompetitionsYouthLeagueshallwhosebe managed decisions by on the all matters Officers shall and management be binding subject Committee to the right of Appeal in accordance with League Rule 16

MSLC 2 These Competitions shall be open to Clubs taking part in the League who play on
Saturday.
It shall be mandatory that ALL teams aged Under 12 and older shall enter the League Cup
competition.
It shall be mandatory that ALL teams aged Under 11 and Under 10 shall enter the Cup
Competition and shall be run as a Trophy event.
MSLC3 The Trophies shall not become. the property of any one Club.
MSLC 4 The entrance fee shall be £10.00 per team or as determined at the AGM.
MSLC 5 The Competition will be played on a straight knockout basis and the Draw for each round will be made at a time and a place to be determined by the Cup Secretary.

If no result is obtained after full time in all rounds, matches will proceed straight to a penalty shootout. (No Extra Time to be played)
MSLC 7 In the event of a penalty kick situation each team shall take five penalty kicks each. If still undecided then sudden death penalty kick situation will proceed with the rest of the team in the field of play, at the end of normal play, taking those kicks until one team fails to score.

MSLC 8 All players must have been registered in accordance with the League Rules and must have been registered with the Club at least seven days prior to the date of the fixture.

MSLC 9 No player shall play in the Semi-final or Final tie in the Competition if that player was not qualified to play in the quarter final tie and has either not played in a previous round in the competition or not participated in a minimum of 3 sanctioned competitive matches for that team in the current season unless agreed specifically by the Cup Committee on the grounds of extenuating circumstances.

MSLC 10 A player who has played for one team in the Cup Trophy Competition shall not be eligible to play for another team in the same Competition in the same season.

MSLC 11 The Cup matches will commence at the discretion of the Cup Secretary who shall consult fully with the Divisional Secretaries and shall have full and final say on commencement in the event of there being small sized divisions.

MSLC 12 All Cup draws shall be conducted by the Cup Secretary in a meeting convened by the Cup Secretary for the purpose and shall consist of a minimum of three members of the management committee. Discretion will be applied to “seeding” during early rounds of the competition where deemed correct to do so.

The first named Club in the draw, for any round except the Finals, shall be the home Club and shall assume responsibility for appointing the referee unless otherwise directed by the Referee Appointment Secretary.

MSLC 13The total expenses of the match shall be met by the home club with the exception of the semi-finals where expenses shall be shared between competing clubs. Each Club shall be responsible for their own travelling expenses. Following two postponements of a fixture due to weather or where no Club is at fault, the Cup Secretary shall be empowered to re-arrange the fixture at a venue of his choice.

MSLC 14The League shall be responsible for staging the Final.

MSLC 15 The Cup Secretary shall decide the venues and dates of Finals and Clubs will be notified no less than 14 days beforehand.

MSLC 16 The League shall be responsible for nominating all officials (If available) for the Semi-Finals and Finals.

MSLC 17 The referee appointment secretary has the right to take a referee from a League game, giving 48 hours’ notice, if required to do so.

MSLC 18 BOTH clubs shall e-mail their team sheets to the Cup Secretary to arrive no later than 6.00pm on a Sunday after a Saturday fixture or within 24 hours of a Cup match being played or shall be fined £5.00.

The home club should telephone the result to the respective divisional secretary by 7.00pm of a Saturday Cup fixture or shall be fined £5.00.
MSLC 19 Completed Challenge Cup result forms are to be sent to the respective Divisional Secretary. A club shall be fined £ 5.00 for failure to do so.

MSLC 20 Should two Clubs with similar colours be drawn against each other BOTH Clubs will change, unless by mutual consent.

MSLC 21If any Club shall refuse or fail to play a match in the competition, on the date fixed for it, (exigencies of the weather alone and schools activities excepted) it shall be removed from the competition and in the Final tie, the Management Committee shall have the power to reinstate the Club beaten in the semi-final by the defaulting Club. Withdrawals should be notified to the Cup Secretary without delay and a courtesy confirmation sent to the Divisional Secretary. Further and in addition, a defaulting Club shall be liable to a penalty to be decided by the management committee.
Father Purcell ALL Teams in Competition
Challenge Cup
Billy Hill Premier Division
Challenge Trophy
Len Day Division 1,
Challenge Trophy
Under 21 Division
Under 21 Cup And Under 19 Division
Under 21 Division
Under 19 Cup Under 19 Division
Frank Rutledge By Invitation only
Memorial Invitation Cup By Invitation only Memorial Invitation Cup
Oscar Owers
1a. FRANK RUTLEDGE Memorial Invitation Cup. To be competed for by those teams in the Premier Division and Division 1 of the Competition that the Competition Management Committee deemed to have the best disciplinary record over the season. Should more than two teams have an equally good record then the number of Competition Fines levied against the respective Clubs would act as a tie breaker. Should this method also prove to be inconclusive then the Competition Management Committee may decide to order a play-off to provide two finalists to compete for the Trophy. The Rules of the Competition shall be as laid down for the Billy Hill Challenge Trophy.

under 19 Division of the Competition that the Competition Management Committee deemed to have the best disciplinary record over the season. Should more than two teams have an equally good record then the number of Competition Fines levied against the respective Clubs would act as a tie breaker. Should this method

also prove to be inconclusive then the Competition Management Committee may decide to order a play-off to provide two finalists to compete for the Trophy. The Rules of the Competition shall be as laid down for the Len Day Challenge Trophy.

2. The entire control and management of this competition shall be invested in the Management Committee of the Portsmouth Saturday Football League.

3. The Life-President, Chairman, Hon Secretary and Treasurer of the Competition for the time being shall be, for all intents and purposes, the legal holders of the Cup in trust for the Competition.

4. The competitions shall be annual and restricted to teams of Clubs registered with and competing in the Portsmouth Saturday Football League. Entries to close, once the Competition's final constitution has been completed and the draw for the opening round is ready to be made.

5. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS:
(a) Players must be registered with the Competition at least 7 days prior to the day of the match.

(b) NO player shall play in the Father Purcell Cup and/or Billy Hill Cup Competitions who has played FIVE or more games in a more Senior Saturday Competition and/or Cup Competition in the current season.

(c) No player shall play in the Len Day Cup Competition who, in the current season, has played in the FA Cup proper, FA Vase, FA Trophy, any Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force Cup, any County or Local Association Senior Cup or any other Competition's Senior Cup Competition. Nor shall any player who has played in the Football League, Football Combination, Southern League, Western League, Isthmian League, Combined Counties League, Wessex League, Hampshire League (including Combination Division), Sussex League or any Competition of equal or stronger status inside or outside the County Boundaries. A player having played more than FIVE times in any recognised Saturday Senior Competition in the current season shall not be eligible to compete in the Len Day Cup for any team.
(d) No player shall play in the Len Day Cup who has already taken part in a Billy Hill Cup game during the same season.(e) No player shall play in the Len Day Cup who has played more than FIVE times collectively for any team or teams eligible for entry to the Billy Hill Cup Competition.

(f) Under 19 Cup – the players must be under the age of 19 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season, although 2 overage players may be included in a team.

(g) Under 21 Cup – the players must be under the age of 21 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season, although 2 overage players may be included in a team.

(h) A player cannot play in the Final Tie of the Competition unless he was registered by the qualifying date for the Semi-Finals, except by permission of the Competition Officers.

6. All teams must play in order of precedence, I.e. 'A' must be first team, 'B' second team, and so on.
7. While players of each team can be changed no individual shall play for more than one team in the competition.

8. The qualifications of each team shall be vouched for by the Hon Secretary of the Club he represents, or by some responsible official of the Club, who shall prior to the match, give in writing, on the official form supplied by the Competition, to the Hon Secretary or responsible official of the opposing team, the names of the players representing his Club.

The Form is to be sent into the Competition Registration Secretary, with the Result Card for the match. Clubs failing to comply with either part of this Rule shall be fined £ 10.

8a. Expenses for pitches and Referees to be shared by both clubs in all rounds, payable on the day of the match. Where the home club plays on a non-Local Authority pitch, then the away club shall only be liable for pitch costs up to half that of the current Portsmouth Local Authority pitch rate

9. The duration of each match shall be 90 minutes and an extra period, 30 minutes if necessary, in all rounds. The half time interval shall be 5 minutes duration, unless altered with the consent of the Referee, except in the Final when it shall be 15 minutes duration. Clubs shall play in distinctive colours, where colours are similar, the AWAY team shall change and, in the Semi-Final, and Final both teams, unless by mutual agreement of both Clubs. ALL shirts must be numbered or a fine of £10 may be imposed subject to the explanation given. The Clubs first drawn in the ballot shall have the choice of playing on their own registered ground except in the Semi -Finals and Final, which must be played on a neutral ground to be decided by the Management Committee. In the case of drawn matches, where the extra half hour is not possible, or is begun and not completed, owing to causes not the fault of the visiting team, the Club which has no choice of ground in the first instance shall have the choice of ground for the second match and so on until a definite issue is arrived at, unless the Management Committee decide that the result of the match at the time of stoppage shall stand.

9a. Kick-Off times for all Cup Competitions (Except) Under 21 Cup) shall be 1.45 p.m. during November, December, January AND February and 2 p.m. during September, October, March, April and May. Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be fined not less than £10.

10. The Final Ties shall be arranged by the Management Committee. In the Final, the ground, Referee's and Referee's Assistants Fees, will be paid for by the Competition.

11. The ties shall be drawn and the Competition matches played on dates previously fixed before the commencement of the season and immediately after each draw the Hon General Secretary shall intimate to each of the Clubs drawn, the name of the Club it is drawn against and the date on which the tie is to be played. No Club to have more than one bye in each season. The Clubs competing in the Final Tie shall be exempted from a preliminary round in the following season. In the event of a tie being left unfinished by reason of a late start or matches abandoned the Management Committee shall have power to deal with the matter as they think fit. In the event of a match ending in a draw, or not being played owing to the precedence of another Cup Competition, it shall be played on a date to be set by the Management Committee.

12. Any team failing by its own neglect to carry out the fixture, shall be removed from the competition and shall be further dealt with as per Competition Rule 10f.

Each Club shall play a full team of 11 players in all matches, Clubs failing to do so, must furnish an explanation. In the event of the explanation being deemed unsatisfactory the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine of not less than £ 10. A Club's commitments to other Competitions will not be deemed an excuse.

A Club may at its discretion use up to Three substitutes at any time in a match, except to replace a player who has been suspended from the game by the Referee. The names of FIVE Substitutes shall be given to the Referee prior to the kick-off and substitutes not named in this way may not be allowed to take part in the game. The substitution can only take place when play is stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. The Substitute players' names, should they play in the match, must appear on the Result Card.

For Under 19 Cup - A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.

For Under 19 Cup - A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.
For Under 21 Cup - A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 5 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.

For Under 21 Cup - A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace another player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

13. Notice of the Result of the match, together with the names of players (surnames and initials) and Club Assistant Referee, must be received within TWO days, Sundays excepted, by the CUP SECRETARY. Or if the game is not played an explanation, shall be forwarded by BOTH CLUBS to the Hon General Secretary and the Cup Secretary before 7 pm on the following Sunday or the offending Club shall be fined £10 on each count by the Management Committee or Competition Council.

Both Club shall telephone the result of the Cup game to their Divisional Secretary, and the Cup Secretary, by the Sunday evening of the match, before 7 p.m., or a fine of £10 shall be imposed by the Management Committee or Competition Council.

14. The Referees shall be appointed by the HFA Appointments Secretary from the Official County List.

Fee for rounds shall be the appropriate Match Fee, which is determined annually by the Portsmouth Football Association. Referees and Assistant Referees in the Final shall receive a souvenir. Assistant Referees Fee is half match fee. In the event of the non- appearance of Official or Referee, Clubs shall agree to a substitute, except in the Final. The match shall stand if the Management Committee so determine. The Referee in the Final shall not be a member of either Club.
14a. In the rounds leading up to the Semi -Finals each team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee for the duration of the match or be liable to a fine of not less than £ 5.

15. Protests respecting the eligibility of players must be lodged with the Hon General Secretary, accompanied by a fee of £20, within 7 days, which may be forfeited if the protest is not sustained.

16. Any Club proved to have played an ineligible or unregistered player shall be fined a sum of not less than £1 and be disqualified from the competition. All questions of qualifications of competitors, interpretations of the Rules, or any other matters in dispute shall be referred to the Management Committee, whose decision shall be final.

17. The winners of the Billy Hill Cup, Len Day Cup, Roger Langdown Cup and/or Oscar Owers Cup shall hold it until March 31st following, when it shall be returned in a clean and satisfactory condition. Failure to comply will result in the offending Club being fined the sum of £10.

On receipt of the Trophy the winning Team shall sign the following agreement: -
I ................. the Secretary of ............. FC representing the said Club, having been declared winners of the Portsmouth Saturday Football League's .......... Division/Cup, and that Trophy

having been presented to us by the said Competition, do hereby on behalf of the said Club agree to return the Trophy to the Competition Secretary on or before the 31st March in accordance with the Rules of the Competition in a clean and satisfactory condition, or I shall be fined the sum of £15. If the Trophy is damaged whilst in

our care, we agree to refund to the Competition the cost of its thorough repair. (The Trophy is to be returned to the Competition Secretary, immediately damage occurs). If the Trophy is lost then the police and Competition Secretary MUST be informed, immediately.

18(a). The winners of the Father Purcell Cup shall not be allowed to keep the Challenge Trophy in their possession, but shall instead be given a substitute Trophy, which they will retain.

19. In all Cup Competitions, in addition to the Cups the finalists may receive 14 medals or other suitable awards (should funds permit).

20. The winning Club may be required to forward to the Treasurer of the Competition a sum sufficient to cover the cost of insurance, within 14 days of the date of receipt of the notice of premium.

21. The team from the lowest Division progressing to the furthest stage (excluding the final) of the Father Purcell Cup Competition, shall be awarded the Jubilee Trophy. In the event of two teams reaching the same stage the Trophy will be decided as follows: (a) the side who has played the most games to reach that stage. (b) the side who has scored the most goals or (c) the side that has conceded the least goals.

The winners of the Jubilee Trophy shall hold it until March 31st following, when it shall be returned in a clean and satisfactory condition. Failure to comply will result in the offending Club being fined the sum of £15.
On receipt of the Trophy the winning Team shall sign the following agreement: -

I ................. the Secretary of ............. FC representing the said Club, having been declared

winners of the Portsmouth Saturday Football League's .......... Division/Cup, and that Trophy,

having been presented to us, by the said Competition, do hereby, on behalf of the said Club, agree to return the Trophy, to the Competition Secretary, on or before the 31st March, in accordance with the Rules of the Competition, in a clean and satisfactory condition, or I shall be fined the sum of £15. If the Trophy is

damaged whilst in our care, we agree to refund to the Competition the cost of its thorough repair. (The Trophy is to be returned to the Competition Secretary, immediately damage occurs). If the Trophy is lost then the police and Competition Secretary MUST be informed, immediately.
22. The winning Club may be required to forward to the Treasurer of the Competition a sum sufficient to cover the cost of insurance, within 14 days, of the date of receipt of the notice of premium.

23. In the event of any alteration to the Rules of the Competitions being deemed necessary, notice of the proposed alteration shall be sent, in writing, to the Competition Hon General Secretary on or before March 1st.

24. Any situation not covered by these Rules will be dealt with as for the corresponding Competition Rules.

MID SOLENT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ADVISORY NOTES
SEASON 2019– 2020

MSAN 1 Fixture priority

Cup fixtures will always have precedence over League fixtures.

Hampshire Cup fixtures have precedence over League Cup and League fixtures.

Fixture durations shall be that as laid down by the Football Association Standard Code.

MSAN 2 First Aid Cover

All home Clubs shall be responsible to ensure that a Qualified Emergency First Aider is in attendance at each match played under its auspices.

In the event of no such individual being in attendance, the Secretary of each Club will inform the League Secretary in writing within three days of the match.